In Carson, California, our homeowner will have to get her electrical system back on solid ground by repairing the missing ground wire. The ground wire diverts an electrical surge away from the outlet. Electricity travels down the wire harmlessly into the ground instead of causing a shock and damaging what’s plugged into it.
Homes built in the last 40 years have grounded electrical circuits. That's the round hole in the electrical outlet usually connected to the ground wire. But just having the proper outlet doesn’t mean it's working properly. Here are some tips to make sure your circuits are on solid ground:
- Pick up a circuit tester at any hardware store. Plug it in and it will indicate if the circuit is grounded.
- Call a licensed electrician if you suspect your outlets are not properly grounded.
- And consider replacing two pronged ungrounded outlets with those containing a ground fault circuit interrupter. It provides protection against shock particularly in areas that could become wet like the kitchen countertop or in a bathroom near the sink.
Make sure you don't run aground when it comes to grounding your electrical system. Electrical problems should never be neglected.
Guests Rick Yerger
Building Specs, Inc.
6441 Burt Road, Suite 57
Irvine, CA 92660
Toll-Free Phone: 888-773-2711
E-mail:
rickyerger@earthlink.net
Website:
www.buildingspecs.com Also in this Episode
